Hello parents,
The Windsor Minor Hockey board of directors has been meeting (virtually) regularly, and often. We would like to provide you with the below updates on where we’re at as it relates to hockey in these uncertain times. We are acutely aware of the role hockey plays in our youth’s physical, and most importantly, mental well being, and we hope to see all of you back in the rinks as soon as we can safely do so.
Windsor Minor Hockey is continuing to plan for the upcoming season, even in these uncertain times, so that when we are given a green light from the government, and the OHF, we are ready to provide safe hockey programming for our players and their families. While we don’t yet know what hockey will look like when it comes back, we will be ready when we can take the ice again. Below is a summary of things we know, and some things we don’t, as well as a link to a ‘player intent’ survey we hope you take the time to complete. We encourage you to keep an eye on our website www.wmha.net, as well as our Facebook page for updates.
Registration
Registration is still available for the coming season here without payment. If you would like to register without payment, please register your child and select the pay by cheque option. This will allow you to be registered, but payment is not required at this time, arrangements will be made closer to the beginning of the season.
If you are wanting to pay at this time, or pay by credit card in the future, please contact [email protected] before registering.
Note: If the hockey season is cancelled for any reason, or if you decide you aren’t comfortable with the return to play plan, there will be a full refund provided (there will not be an admin fee charged). By registering, it will help us to plan the # of teams and ice requirements. As we learn more about the OHF return to play protocol, registration information will be updated on our website.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
When: July 5th, 1:00pm
Where: Virtual Meeting
At the AGM, members will have the choice to vote on a brand new set of association by-laws which follow the Ontario Corporations Act, imposing term limits for directors and voting rights for members among many other great changes. We encourage you to read the proposed by-laws here. If you would like to attend the AGM, please fill in the form found here no later than June 30th 2020. After filling in the form you will receive further instructions by e-mail prior to the meeting. Members who do not fill out the form, will NOT be permitted to attend.
Return to Play - Hockey Canada has lifted the ban on organization programming, and placed the responsibility of return to play onto the provincial governing bodies, in our case, the OHF (Ontario Hockey Federation). There have been two webinars over the past two weeks presented by Hockey Canada and the OHF that WMHA board members have attended in order to keep up to date on what’s happening. The OHF has developed a three phase Return to Hockey Protocol that will assist in developing our initial hockey programming. More information on this plan can be found here. Currently, although local rinks are not open, we are in phase 2, stage 1. The OHF protocol is as follows:
Phase 1- Protect and Support
Phase 2- Restart, Protect and Support
Stage 1 - Individual Training (groups of less than 10)
Stage 2 - Small Group Training
Stage 3 - Non- traditional Training (3on3)
Stage 4 - Full Programming
Phase 3- Recover, Protect and Support.
WMHA executives have been, and continue to be in contact with the City of Windsor to proactively, and jointly, develop a safe plan for a return to the rinks following provincial and federal guidelines. Topics of discussion include dressing rooms, cleaning and disinfecting procedures and the amount of people allowed inside the facilities. We will do our best to keep our members up to date as concrete information becomes available. The safety of our players, parents and volunteers is our number one priority. Keep an eye on the wmha.net for further updates.
Intent to play - WMHA has developed an intent to play survey, we are asking for your cooperation on this survey and ask that you fill it out whether you intend to register your child, or not. This form will help us to develop our programming for the 2020/21 season. Every player who fills out the form will be entered into a draw to win some WMHA swag (please fill out the form for each player). The form is located here. This form is for planning purposes only and will close July 20th, 2020. This form does not register your child with WMHA. If you would like to register at this time please see the registration section above.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact any member of the WMHA board of directors and we will do our best to help you.
Thanks, and we hope to see you all soon.